The Allen, Texas, area has so many amazing parks, trails, and outdoor spaces for you and your family to enjoy the wonderful North Texas weather. Taking a hike, going on a bike ride, and animal watching are just some of the fun activities you can take part in. Check out this list of nature-filled experiences you can find in and around Allen, courtesy of the best daycare in Allen, Texas.

Celebration Park

“Girls Hiking” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Paul Schultz

Located on the eastern side of town across the way from Lovejoy High School is Celebration Park. This lively outdoor retreat offers plenty of kid-friendly amenities, from an accessible playground to sports fields to spraygrounds where the whole family can splash around and cool off. 

While you can play baseball, soccer, or tennis, you can also just have a picnic with fresh food right off of one of the grills and enjoy the sights of the trees and small wildlife. If you’re looking to get away from the bustle of the park, head out onto the 1.5-mile perimeter trail for an easy hike on a paved path that welcomes dogs.

Dayspring Nature Preserve

Get even more out into nature when you visit Dayspring Nature Preserve, located on the western side of town near Boon Elementary School. This park is over 23 acres of heavily wooded area and some open spaces with a playground and a pavilion. 

You can enjoy the park’s 0.3-mile loop trail that’s suited for all levels and many activities, including hiking, biking, and running. It’s a crushed gravel path, so it’s not great for strollers, but it’s level and easy, so it’s perfect for little hikers. As you walk, listen for the sounds of nearby Watters Branch Creek that runs through the park.

If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you can start at Dayspring Nature Preserve trail and enter the Watters Creek Trail that runs along Watters Branch Creek. This 4-mile trail is also good for all levels and welcomes bicyclists as well. The trail is lush with greenery and provides many opportunities for bird watching. And since it’s well-shaded, it’s a good option for getting outside without getting too much sun.

Connemara Conservancy

The Connemara Conservancy at Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve was established by local nature conservation enthusiast Frances Montgomery Williams. She wanted to make sure generations to come still had natural spaces to visit and learn about the local environment despite the rapid development of the northern Dallas area. Because of her and her daughter’s efforts, you can enjoy the 72 acres of prairie land, maintained hiking trails, and amazing plants and animals that call the space home.

What makes this nature preserve even more special are the interactive learning experiences and volunteer programs you and your family can take part in. Throughout the week, they host Yoga in the Meadow for adults and kids and Tai Chi. They also have special events, like Earth Day celebrations. And if you want to get involved in helping the Conservancy’s efforts, you can volunteer for the restoration, outreach, fundraising, or event planning teams.

Allen Station Park and Cottonwood Creek Trail

In the heart of Allen, you’ll find Allen Station Park, which is home to Allen Old Stone Dam, Hydrous Wake Park, and Allen Heritage Village among many other awesome sites and amenities. You can enjoy baseball and softball, the skate park, BMX track, roller hockey rink, and a fantastic playground.

But you can also walk the 7.5-mile Cottonwood Creek Trail that loops throughout the park. This concrete path is great for all levels, and with many trailheads and exits throughout the park, you can cover just a portion of the trail if you have younger kids with you. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Cottonwood Creek, which flows through various areas of the park, wooded areas with a variety of small wildlife, and across one of the city’s notable public art installations, the bridge titled “Current Drift.”

Bethany Lakes Park

Just west of Mustang Creek off of E. Bethany Drive is Bethany Lakes Park, which is home to the Veterans Memorial, Joe Famer Recreation Center, and multiple ponds that give the park its name. While Bethany Lakes Park has many of the same features as other local parks, like picnic spots, sports fields, pavilions, and a playground, it also offers more opportunity to commune with nature. 

Head to the fishing pier to relax on the waterfront and catch rainbow trout, bluegill, and bass. Have a picnic by the water, hike around the 40-acre property, or you can enjoy an open-air concert at Joe Farmer Amphitheater. You can start your trek along the Mustang Creek Trail, which is located on the western edge of the park and will take you to Heritage Park to the south or Reed Park East to the north.

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve

Head about 10 miles south of Allen to nearby Plano to visit the 800-acre property of Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve. While it’s well-known for its stunningly lush backdrop and gorgeous event space, there’s also plenty more to do when you want to enjoy the great outdoors in the Allen area.

Go kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding out on the park’s pond. Go ziplining through the trees. Walk along the mixed paved and unpaved trail, which is about 8.5 miles long and takes you through the gorgeous landscape and along the waterfront of the pond and nearby Rowlett Creek. This trail also meets up with Bob Woodruff Park Trail, which you can take further into the city of Plano for a nice, long stroll with a little bit of challenge. The city of Plano has plans to keep improving the area to make it even better for local families and visitors.So there you have it, some of Allen’s best parks, trails, and preserves where you and your family can get some fresh air and exercise close to home. Did we miss any of your favorite local nature spots? Let Crème de la Crème of Allen know, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!